Universitas Indonesia and Sunway University Share Insights on Sustainability Rankings and Future Academic Collaborations

Universitas Indonesia (UI) hosted a delegation from Sunway University to share institutional experiences and discuss strategies regarding sustainability rankings. Building upon several existing research collaborations between the two institutions, the meeting served as a platform to deepen their academic relationship.

The delegation from Sunway University was led by Professor Dr. Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost. He was accompanied by:

• Mr. Khalil Munawar Makhdum Munawar – Manager of Ranking, Impact and Analytics

The Universitas Indonesia delegation was led by Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs and was accompanied by:

• Fadhilah Muslim, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., DIC – Director, Internationalization of Education
• Prof. Yuni Krisyuningsih Krisnandi, M.Sc., Ph.D. – Director of Planning and Performance
• Vishnu Juwono, S.E., M.I.A., Ph.D. – Chairperson of Greenmetric
• Dini Yuliana Rachman, S.E., M.Sc., CIA – Head of Sub-Directorate of Performance Evaluation and Ranking, Directorate of Planning and Performance
• Yunitha Fajarwati, S.Hum. – Section Head, International Education Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education

During the meeting, Sunway University expressed its appreciation for the ongoing partnership and thanked UI for the warm reception despite the meeting being arranged on short notice. Sunway then provided an overview of its institutional structure, which comprises eight faculties, and highlighted its foundational commitment to the environment. Sustainability is embedded in the core DNA of both the Sunway Group and Sunway University. This is evidenced by their ongoing efforts since 1986, where previously uninhabitable land has been successfully transformed into a highly developed, sustainable area through green approaches.

Sunway University introduced its S.U.S.T.A.I.N. Framework, a teaching and learning paradigm focused on sustainability that is transformative, inclusive, immersive, and globally connected. The framework highlights several key pillars:

• Entrepreneurship: Utilizing game-based design to foster creativity, build an entrepreneurial mindset, and develop problem-solving skills rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Integrity and Sustainable Development: Emphasizing the cultivation of integrity, understanding of corruption issues, enhancement of accountability, and implementation of ethical practices.

• Community Service for Planetary Health: Driving awareness toward planetary health through community engagement, interdisciplinary action, and collaborative problem-solving.

Addressing global university standings, Sunway shared that a significant portion of its budget is allocated to research and scholarships, which has been a major contributing factor to its high placement in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings. Sunway emphasized that attracting high-quality international students requires a strong investment in top-tier academic staff. Currently, the university employs around 700 teaching staff. While not all are actively engaged in research, pursuing a research track is highlighted as a primary pathway to achieving a professorship at Sunway.

The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to further discuss student and staff mobility programs. Both institutions will continue to communicate to identify and develop concrete collaboration opportunities that benefit their academic communities.

Photo Credit: Directorate for Internationalization of Education